Voices of Stafford

Herbert was born and raised in the historic village of Falmouth. He and the other local boys developed great familiarity with the Rappahannock River even to the point of knowing the locations and names of the deep holes in the river bottom where they would swim and play. Certain rocks in the river had names and the boys were able to wade across using the proper rocks as stepping stones. Herbert tells of the old dock, the two earlier bridges, the races used to bring water to power mills located along the river and stories about the local retail establishments even to include the nick name of the village. An account is given about the Union Church and how it was an integral part of the community until its serious damage by a hurricane in the 50s. The original building was located a short distance away as was Hobby School both of which are now located on the western edge of the cemetery accessible by Carter Street. (71 minutes)